x01 Archives

Serbian antigovernment protests escalate in third night of clashes ...

Serbian antigovernment protests escalate in third night of clashes ...

Thousands march in Serbia in persistent resistance to autocratic leader Vucic– abcnews.go.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

BELGRADE, Serbia — Thousands joined protest marches in several Serbian towns on Wednesday reflecting persistent resistance to autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic’s rule despite a government crackdown.

Crowds gathered to mark 11 months since a concrete canopy collapsed in a northern Serbian city that killed 16 people and triggered a major anti-government movement.

Protesters believe that the crash at the renovated train station in Novi Sad resulted from graft-fueled negligence in construction projects. The building’s renovation was part of a wider railway overhaul with Chinese companies.

The Complex Promise and Perils of AI in Policing : Center for ...

The Complex Promise and Perils of AI in Policing : Center for ...

Arizona’s AI policing tool threatens civil liberties– www.theblaze.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Several Arizona police departments are piloting a new AI-powered policing tool that promises to revolutionize how officers catch criminals. But without robust constitutional safeguards, this cutting-edge technology could pose a serious threat to the civil liberties of everyday Americans.

Arizona police agencies are now testing a new AI program that “deploys lifelike virtual agents, which infiltrate and engage criminal networks across various channels.” The program, called Overwatch, was developed by Massive Blue and provides police departments with up to 50 different AI personas.

While the technology could, in theory, be used for noble purposes, … it also creates new opportunities for government overreach.

These include a sex trafficker persona, an escort persona, a 14-year-old boy in a child trafficking scenario, and a vaguely defined “college protester.” Beyond social media monitoring, the program allows police to communicate directly with suspects while posing as one of these AI-generated personas, all without a warrant.

No transparency

So far, both the police departments using Overwatch and the company behind it have been extremely secretive about its operations. Massive Blue co-founder Mike McGraw declined to answer questions from 404 Media, which first broke the story, about how the program works, which departments are using it, and whether it has led to any arrests.

“We cannot risk jeopardizing these investigations and putting victims’ lives in further danger by disclosing proprietary information,” McGraw said.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, one of the few agencies that have confirmed using the program, admitted it has not yet led to any arrests. Officials refused to provide details, saying, “We cannot risk compromising our investigative efforts by providing specifics about any personas.”

At an appropriations hearing, a Pinal County deputy sheriff also declined to share information about the program with the county council. Remarkably, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which funds the initiative, does not appear to have been informed about the program’s specifics.

While the technology could, in theory, be used for noble purposes, such as preventing terrorist attacks or combating human trafficking, it also creates new opportunities for government overreach. Without safeguards, it poses a direct threat to the civil liberties of innocent Americans.

Invitation to entrapment

History is full of examples of government entrapment and abuse of power. In the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.), for example, FBI involvement played a central role in bringing groups together that may never have otherwise connected.

Similarly, in Jacobson v. United States (1992), federal agents sent child sexual abuse material through the mail to a man with no prior criminal record, leading to his conviction, which was later overturned.

RELATED: Netflix’s chilling new surveillance tools are watching you

Photo Illustration by Piotr Swat/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

In both cases, it is doubtful the crimes would have occurred without government intervention. A program like Overwatch makes such abuses easier, granting the government new ways to monitor and manipulate citizens who have never been convicted of a crime, and all without warrants.

The risks are compounded by the program’s vague and troubling categories, such as “college protester,” which could be redefined depending on who is in power. That opens the door for the technology to be weaponized against political dissent, even when no crime has been committed.

Without serious constitutional safeguards, programs like this are poised to become political tools of tyranny. Americans must demand warrant requirements and legislative oversight before this technology spreads nationwide and the erosion of our constitutional liberties becomes irreversible.

Apple's New AI Revolution: Why 'Apple Intelligence' Could Change ...

Apple's New AI Revolution: Why 'Apple Intelligence' Could Change ...

Apple Caves to Trump’s DOJ, Removes App Allowing Illegals to Track ICE Agents – RedState– redstate.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Apple has reportedly removed a tracking tool designed to alert illegal aliens to the nearby presence of ICE agents from its app store, following a demand by officials at the Department of Justice.

A link to the app, known as ICEBlock, is no longer functional.

“We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their App Store — and Apple did so,” Bondi said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

The app, developed by Joshua Aaron, was a danger to ICE agents simply trying to enforce immigration laws, leaving them vulnerable to illegals or supporters of illegals with bad intentions.

File:Charlie Kirk by Gage Skidmore 3

File:Charlie Kirk by Gage Skidmore 3

Charlie Kirk’s Full Message to Netanyahu Revealed– slaynews.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

In a striking development, the complete text of a letter from the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has surfaced.

The discovery offers fresh insight into Kirk’s intricate perspective on Israel.

The letter, released by the New York Post, reflects Kirk’s profound respect for Israel while pressing for a significant shift in its public communication approach, amid a heated dispute over his views following his tragic death on Sept. 10 in Utah.

Read Charlie Kirk’s Letter To Benjamin Netanyahu in Full

FROM THE DESK OF CHARLIE KIRK

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, One of my greatest joys as a Christian is advocating for Israel and forming alliances with Jews in the fight to protect Judeo-Christian civilization. Most recently, I am proud to have taken over Ambassador Huckabee’s show on TBN where we continually support Israel and the Jewish people. As Muhammadism spreads into Western societies, it’s critical that Jews and Christians stay united in the effort to contain and roll back radical Islam and Sharia law. I regret to report that anti-Israel and antisemitic trends are at record levels on social media. These negative sentiments then flow downstream into college campuses and even seep into the conservative MAGA community.

My team and I have spent months analyzing these trends and debating ideas that could help you and your country push back against these disturbing developments. Anti-Israel sentiment can undermine American support for Israel. The purpose of this letter is to lay out our concerns and outline potential remedies. Everything written here is from a place of deep love for Israel and the Jewish people. I think it’s important to be brutally honest with those you love. In my opinion, Israel is losing the information war and needs a “communications intervention.”

I started to compose this letter to you on Easter. I should have been focused on my family, but I was getting bombarded with messages about the Israeli army making it difficult for Christians to access church in Jerusalem on Easter. At the time, I did not see any official statements pushing back on this narrative. It was frustrating because pro-Israel surrogates like me should not be in charge of fact-checking every piece of anti-Israel misinformation that pours into social media. It wasn’t just Easter. On my recent campus tours, half the questions I get are about Israel and they’re all negative.

I often spend half my time on these campus tours defending Jews and Israel which I’m proud to do because I love Israel and love the Jewish faith. I spent endless hours with Dennis Prager over the years studying the Torah. Sometimes, it feels like I’m defending Israel in public more than your own government.

My experience on college campuses matches a recent Harvard Harris poll which reported 48% of 18—24 year old Americans support Hamas over Israel. Even in young MAGA circles, Israel is losing support. We are getting huge crowds of 4,000—5,000 students on some of my college tours. My campus visits are becoming like a rock concert atmosphere filled with conservative patriots. Yet, on these campus visits, I’m constantly confronted with:

“Israel is an apartheid state.”

“Why does Israel conduct ethnic cleansing?”

“Why is America subsidizing Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people?”

“Is American aid helping to subsidize Israel’s free health care?”

“Israel and the Jews are running U.S. foreign policy.”

“Israel and Jews are responsible for 9/11.”

“Defending Israel is not in our U.S. national interest.”

“Why is Israel trying to drag us into a war in the Middle East?”

Above are just a sampling of the negative Israel/Jewish comments and questions I confront on college campuses. I’m accused of being a paid apologist for Israel when I defend her; however, if I don’t defend Israel strongly enough, I’m accused of being antisemitic. I know you’ve got a seven-front war and my kvetching pales in comparison. But I’m trying to convey to you that Israel is losing support even in conservative circles. This should be a five-alarm fire.

I’m often asked, “Why is Israel killing so many innocent civilians in Gaza?” I know Israel goes to great lengths by dropping flyers and even calling civilians to clear out of areas about to be bombed. I know Israel posts maps showing which areas should be evacuated. I know that Hamas uses civilians as human shields. But 90% of the younger generations get their news from social media and podcasts and there is very little pushback or fact-checking by the Israeli government and/or pro-Israel supporters in the media (especially social media).

I strongly suggest Israel NOT always depend on “subcontracting” their information war efforts to surrogates in America. Mr. Prime Minister, I urge you to REVAMP your information warfare strategy from top to bottom. Sometimes, the impression is given that Israel thinks everyone hates them so why care about winning over hearts and minds? If there’s any truth to this impression, I urge you to consider that social media and podcasts are where you fight for the hearts and minds of the younger generation. Obviously, all this negative Israel propaganda on social media easily translates into pro-Hamas “Free Palestine” sentiment on many college campuses.

Here are some unsolicited recommendations my team and I suggest if you’re open-minded to a communications reset:

1) For starters, you need a rapid response media team. President Trump does this very effectively on social media with his own account and his White House Rapid Response 47 team. The President has strong fighters like Stephen Miller and Karoline Leavitt who battle the press every day. Honestly, I don’t even know if you have a press secretary. You are an eloquent defender of Israel, but you need a team of information warriors out there pushing back every day. There’s also hundreds of millions of dollars raised by private pro-Israel groups. Some of this money should be directed into creating pro-Israel ORIGINAL homegrown content. Next, promote this content on Israel-operated social media channels and websites. Use some of these funds to start the Israel Truth Network (ITN).

2) I strongly recommend putting together a team of pro-Israel experts who can fact-check misinformation in real time from Israel. Israel needs to take the lead in this effort—no more dependence on subcontractors. Israel never asks for American troops because Israel does its own fighting. I suggest the same approach for the information war. You lead and people like me will follow and provide supplemental support. If you’re open to revamping your communications strategy, my team and I are happy to assist.

3) You need something perhaps like an “Israel Truth Network” (ITN) which can include social media channels and a one-stop source of information website where, for example, all the negative Israel questions I get can be thoroughly debunked. I would love to refer students to such a website. This website could also be a conduit to groups like Hillel and Jewish educators like Dennis Prager. There can be links to books, podcasts, media personalities, and pro-Israel thought leaders. The website can be a place where Judeo-Christian leaders and groups can share information and form closer alliances in the fight against Islamic fundamentalism. ITN social media can post pro-Israel pro Judeo-Christian video clips, breaking news and articles. ITN could potentially be a news aggregation site for all news pertaining to Israel and Judeo-Christian efforts to preserve Western civilization.

4) Have you considered inviting some of the released hostages to go on a speaking tour in the U. S.? This could be very effective messaging. These hostages can talk about how Gazan civilians not once offered any empathy or compassion. President Trump referenced this lack of humanity when some released hostages visited the Oval Office. This was effective messaging. When impactful messaging clicks, keep it going. Also, these hostages and all your spokespersons should be arguing it’s Hamas that is committing genocide on their own people by using civilians as human shields and storing weapons in schools, hospitals, etc. That information drips out in the regular media but is almost nonexistent on social media.

5) Maybe interview regular Israelis on the streets asking them what they love about their country. Interview Jews, Israeli Arabs, Druze, orthodox, secular, etc. Ask Israelis what they wish the world knew about Israel. Ask them to respond to examples of misinformation on social media. This could be an entire social media PR campaign called, “Dude, you got us wrong!” Interview Israelis from all walks of life.

Let Israelis explain in their own words how Israel is a pluralistic society, a free country with elected leaders unlike the surrounding authoritarian Arab nations. Why not show how your hospitals take care of wounded terrorists? Why not show clips of Israel dropping flyers from airplanes warning Gazan civilians to get out of harm’s way? It would have been nice to see an Israeli plane with a Star of David arrive in the U.S. full of supplies after a hurricane. Has Israel offered any assistance to the U.S., insofar as technology to protect our border or with the missile defense shield President Trump has discussed? These are examples of effective messaging showing Israel as a close ally of America. Consumers of social media are aware of the billions in supplies we send to Israel, but they’re less aware of what America gets in return. You and your team need to make the argument on social media that Israel is a great friend of America and is vital to U.S. national security. Israel needs to better portray itself as a member of “Team Humanity.” Israel needs to establish a baseline of her identity. To run an effective messaging campaign, you need a clearly defined message. This message should be homegrown from Israel. In other words, create original content from Israel. Videos and visuals feed social media. Keep these edited clips short—under one minute—and post the best ones on the Israel Truth Network (ITN). Don’t rely on non-Israeli social media influencers to create all these clips. Create them yourselves and influencers (surrogates) like me can promote this ORIGINAL work and refer people to your social media and websites. Be proactive—take the lead. Bottom line is Israel needs to learn to fish (i.e., create your own content) and be more self-reliant when it comes to your communications strategy.

6) Iran: Israel could do a better job explaining the Iranian threat. Among the many conservatives who support Israel, there is a concern that America could become entangled in a quagmire in Iran. My generation grew up with disasters in Afghanistan and Iraq. We were promised there were WMDs in Iraq which proved to be a lie. Our generation was also lied to by the governments of Israel and the U.S. that COVID vaccines were safe and effective. Israeli intelligence missed the boat on October 7, but we’re asked to trust Israeli intelligence 100% that Iran is on the cusp of obtaining nuclear weapons. Young conservatives are very skeptical of government proclamations. We don’t fully trust intelligence assessments. Right now it seems like Israel is primarily relying on Americans to make the case for attacking Iranian nuclear sites. These arguments get a lot of blowback in MAGA circles. Other than you, Mr. Prime Minister, I see very few Israelis making their case in the media, social media or podcasts. Many agree with you (myself included) that Iran should not get nuclear weapons. At the same time, I share the concern that America will get sucked into another endless war costing thousands of American lives. Where are the Israelis who are arguing their case to win over public opinion? Israel should be making its case 24/7 on social media including long form (English-speaking) podcasts and social media channels and website(s) such as a Rapid Response Team and ITN.

7) A paradigm shift is needed in how Israel presents itself to the world, especially on social media. Perhaps the best way to convey my thoughts here is to think of Israel as a political candidate (in this case a younger woman who grew up on social media). Who is this candidate and what does she stand for? Right now there’s essentially a massive negative ad campaign spreading on social media. These negative ads are defining this candidate. Political campaigns face these challenges all the time. Many of the PR challenges Israel faces should be looked at through the prism of a political campaign. Like any campaign, the first task is to define the candidate.

Right now there is not a “one-stop shopping” resource where younger people can learn about this candidate. Every candidate has a website and social media. It would be political malpractice to omit these tools. Sorry for the brutal honesty, but Israel’s approach to social media is “PR malpractice.” Your “candidate” should list all the toughest questions she gets on the campaign trail with detailed expert responses (add footnotes) on her ITN website and use social media to explain her platform on a daily basis. These responses become part of Miss Israel’s “platform” where her positions and values are explained. Like any political campaign, you need surrogates who can articulately promote this candidate’s platform and identity. Right now Israel’s identity is being fabricated by those who hate her by a barrage of misinformation in the media—especially social media. Fake news becomes real news if there’s not effective pushback. When a candidate is hit with negative campaign ads, the effective response is for the candidate to PERSONALLY respond to these attack ads. A candidate doesn’t just rely on surrogates to get the truth out. One of Israel’s biggest most fundamental problems is typically your pushback is in a 3rd person voice. I do the “3rd person” voice all the time as I attempt to defend the candidate, Israel. But I don’t live in Israel so I’m more like an attorney defending a client. Israel, the client, also needs to defend itself. I wish I had a “1st person” source of information I could reference where students and Israel skeptics could learn more about this client called Israel. You need a one-stop shopping resource where Israel’s platform and beliefs can be spelled out. You need more Israeli surrogates speaking out on behalf of their candidate. At the moment, you have some wonderful non-Israeli surrogates speaking on behalf of a candidate that has not defined herself—especially when it comes to social media. I know it’s common to think that social media, especially TikTok, is a waste of time. I thought similar a year ago. But TikTok algorithms have changed. I have increased my followers on TikTok from approx. 1 million to 6.6 million in the last year. We get BILLIONS (with a “B”) views on TikTok. My campus tour last Fall and this Spring have received approx. 5 BILLION impressions. Elon Musk is a good friend to Israel so X offers a great opportunity to make inroads on social media. Israel should not sit back and allow its enemies to define her. A recent Pew Research poll showed 53% of Americans now have an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 42% three years ago. U.S. support for Israel is precarious right now. A new media strategy is urgently needed. I understand social media as well as anyone in the world. From my vantage point, Israel has retreated from social media without a fight. How are you going to win over younger generations if you’re starting out in retreat on social media? Younger generations use their TV’s for Netflix—not the evening news. Narratives for younger and even middle-aged people are fought now on social media. Mr. Prime Minister, stop this retreat—get in the information war fight! The front lines of this information war are on social media. Other than a few guerrilla warfare operations, there’s very little Israel created content. I saw that Israel has increased its Hasbara budget by 20x times which is great news. There’s also hundreds of millions of dollars raised by private pro-Israel groups. Some of this money should be directed into creating pro Israel ORIGINAL home grown content. Next, promote this content on Israel operated social media channels and websites. Use some of these funds to start the Israel Truth Network (ITN).

To sum up, you should perhaps consider reshaping your Hasbara Department into more of a political campaign headquarters with campaign narrative experts. Hasbara could be the mothership hosting ITN where the messaging campaign can be created and then distributed to all the pro-Israel groups and thought leaders.

Majority of staff in these efforts should be in their 20’s and 30’s. The older generation alone is not going to win the information war on social media. You need to fill the ranks with young people who grew up with cellphones and social media—not pay phones and TV news. Once the candidate is defined with a platform backfilled with extensive details, then allow the political operatives to take that platform out into social media with an out-of-the-box approach like some of the earlier suggestions. I’ve seen your IDF spokesman defend Israel standing at a dimly lit podium. This looks like a scene out of the 1970s—like some old Walter Cronkite clips of the TV news. You need to tear down your old ways of communicating and start over from scratch. Create a communications and social media platform that is wired to fight back with the same fierceness and determination as the IDF.

Israel has many Americans and some well-known foreigners who defend Israel which is great. But these are “3rd person” voices. Mr. Prime Minister, you are an eloquent defender of Israel but you don’t post very often on social media. Many of your clips are in Hebrew only. Why don’t you do more press conferences in Israel in English? Take on some of the tough questions I get bombarded with on college campuses. Where are all the Israeli surrogates? I can’t remember the last time I saw an Israeli spokesperson on one of the…

What is antifa? A look at the movement Trump is blaming for ...

What is antifa? A look at the movement Trump is blaming for ...

Conservative Female Reporter Brutally Attacked by Antifa Terrorist While Portland Police Refuse to Act– conservativeroof.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

A conservative female reporter was violently attacked by an Antifa terrorist in Portland this week, while the worthless police refused to arrest the attacker.

Katie Daviscourt, a reporter for The Post Millennial and Human Events, was viciously attacked by a female Antifa terrorist on Tuesday evening.

The Antifa terrorist hit Katie Daviscourt in the face with a flag pole, leaving her with a nasty black eye. The Antifa terrorist attempted to escape while Katie Daviscourt chased her down. At this point, a Portland Police officer failed to detain the suspect.

Katie Daviscourt appeared on Fox News on Wednesday evening and told host Jesse Watters that Portland Police Chief Bob Day should resign in disgrace.

The police told Katie Daviscourt it was too dangerous to go in and make an arrest after Antifa terrorists took over a portion of the city. Portland Police Chief Bob Day downplayed the far-left violence during remarks to the press this week.

Senate heads home with no deal to speed confirmations as irate ...

Senate heads home with no deal to speed confirmations as irate ...

Democrats Thought They Had the Upper Hand in the Schumer Shutdown. WaPo Says They Just Fell Into a ‘Trap’– townhall.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

 

The Washington Post’s editorial board is worried about how Democrats might fare in the battle over the Schumer Shutdown, and they have every reason to be.

The editorial board published a piece on Wednesday describing how Democratic leaders rejected a short-term deal to avoid a shutdown after pressure from the progressive wing of the party. When Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) floated the idea of a seven-to-ten-day extension, Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) responded, “Hell no.”

EMG STI / Taran Tactical John Wick 3 2011 Combat Master Licensed ...

EMG STI / Taran Tactical John Wick 3 2011 Combat Master Licensed ...

Protests After School Board Suspends Football Players over Airsoft Photo– www.breitbart.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Protests erupted after Idaho’s Post Falls District school board suspended several football players for ten days and kicked them off the team for a photo taken that showed an airsoft gun.

KREM reported that the photo “allegedly depicts 2 students pointing airsoft guns at another, who was dressed in Coeur d’Alene High School clothing.”

The Post Falls Police Department says they were “made aware” of the photo September 4, and “determined no laws were broken, and no criminal charges have been filed against the students.”

 

<b>Macron rejects Trump's plan for Greenland, proposal for Putin to mediate Israel-Iran crisis</b>- <i> www.cbc.ca</i>

<b>Macron rejects Trump's plan for Greenland, proposal for Putin to mediate Israel-Iran crisis</b>- <i> www.cbc.ca</i>

Trump’s YouTube-Insurrection Settlement Will Fund Golden White House Ballroom– www.vanityfair.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Over the summer, the Trump administration announced that it would construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House, which press secretary Karoline Leavitt described to reporters as a “much-needed and exquisite addition.” Not surprisingly, a rendering looks very Versailles-esque and includes an unrestrained use of the color gold; though the room was initially expected to have a seating capacity for 650 people, Trump later said it would hold 900.) In a statement that she may or may not have been contractually obligated to release, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles told the public: “President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail.” Following the announcement, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer wondered aloud. “Where’d this money come from? Did Congress appropriate it? I don’t think so. It’s almost like DOGE was never about waste.” In September, CBS reported that a collection of individual and corporate donors—including Google, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, and Palantir—had pledged to donate nearly $200 million for construction costs.

Final electoral rolls for 2023 updated, here's how to check your ...

Final electoral rolls for 2023 updated, here's how to check your ...

Bombshell Filing Shakes Up Closely Watched House Race– trendingpoliticsnews.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

A new court filing claims that a Democratic Party candidate in a tightly-contested, GOP-controlled race for the Virginia House of Delegates doesn’t live in the district she is seeking to represent. The stretch run shakeup could have massive implications on control of the Virginia State House, as Democrats are currently favored to hold on to their slim majority next month.

Three voters in Stafford County have filed a court challenge alleging that Stacey Carroll, the Democrat candidate in Virginia’s 64th District, actually lives in the neighboring Democrat-majority 23rd. The complaint seeks to have Carroll removed from the ballot.

Plaintiffs Stephen Schwartz, Judith Anne Parker and Juliet Schweiter alleged Carroll continues to live near US-1 in Aquia, Virginia, at the southern edge of the 23rd district. She does so, the plaintiffs alleged, despite filing to run for a race about seven miles southwestward near Stafford Court House, Virginia, in the 64th, Fox News reported.

American TikTok deal doesn’t address the platform’s potential for manipulation, only who profits– phys.org
Source Link
Excerpt:

On Sept. 25, the Donald Trump administration in the United States again extended the TikTok ban-or-divest law, possibly for the last time. The latest extension to the law, which was passed in 2024 by the Joe Biden administration, includes a deal to transfer TikTok to American owners as a condition required to avoid a ban.

This raises the question on the validity of the warnings about the app as a tool of Chinese influence and whether American ownership will help.

Canada should be watching closely, because anxieties about foreign manipulation and social media exist north of the border, too. These range from bans on TikTok and concerns about Beijing-linked surveillance to efforts like Bill C-18 aimed at safeguarding domestic news sources.

What happens in the Canadian information environment has always been shaped by the U.S., a dependence that is even more precarious now that American politics has turned hostile to Canada.

Recent Polls Show Narrowing Lead for Spanberger in Virginia– www.dailysignal.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Despite Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears’ considerable deficit in campaign contributions (largely due to unending news reports of past polls showing the GOP candidate for Virginia governor trailing by double-digits), the race is now within the margin of error.

Acknowledging that polls are only as accurate as the pollsters’ guess on demographic enthusiasm and the honest responses from those people being called, the most recent Virginia poll shows the same thing as New Jersey’s gubernatorial poll that we reported on last week. In the Garden State, Democrat candidate Mikie Sherrill had lost her 20 percentage point lead and was tied with Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

The Virginia poll, conducted Sept. 26-28, has Democrat gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger still ahead, but by 3%, 48%-45%, against Earle-Sears—within the margin of polling error.

For comparison, in September 2021 during the last Virginia governor’s race, Nexstar/Emerson had former Democrat Gov. Terry McAuliffe ahead 49%-45% against the ultimate winner, Republican Glenn Youngkin. A Monmouth University poll that same month showed similar results, with McAuliffe leading 48%-43%.

Trump to meet with Project 2025 architect on cutting ‘Democrat agendas’ amid government shutdown – live | US federal government shutdown 2025– www.theguardian.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Donald Trump is up and truthing as the White House presses on with seizing the opportunity provided by the shutdown to axe federal jobs and Democratic spending priorities. “I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity,” Trump writes this morning.

He said he has a meeting today with Russell Vought, “of Project 2025 fame” who is now the head of the office for management and budget, “to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent”.

Vought was central to the Project 2025 blueprint and has been on a years-long quest to dismantle the federal workforce and consolidate power for the president. Since Trump took office in January, he has worked alongside the so-called “department of government efficiency” to slash through the federal government.

As we reported yesterday – day one of the shutdown – he’s already started slashing blue state infrastructure spending, cancelling $8bn in climate-related funding to 16 blue states and freezing $18bn for two huge New York City construction projects.

Here’s the post:

I have a meeting today with Russ Vought, he of PROJECT 2025 Fame, to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent. I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DJT

 

 

Key events

 

Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature

 

 

Trump tells Republicans to ‘clear out dead wood, waste, and fraud’

As congressional Democrats hold out for healthcare subsidies, the Trump administration has repeatedly stated that federal workers will face layoffs while the government is shut down.

Late last night, president Donald Trump posted on Truth Social:

Republicans must use this opportunity of Democrat forced closure to clear out dead wood, waste, and fraud. Billions of Dollars can be saved. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Democrats hold firm on healthcare demands as US government remains shut

Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog. We will be bringing you all the latest news lines over the next few hours.

We start with news that a vote to end the government shutdown hours after it began failed on Wednesday, as Democrats in the Senate held firm to the party’s demands to fund healthcare subsidies that president Donald Trump and Republicans refuse to extend.

The tally showed cracks in the Democrats’ resolve, but the outcome also left no breakthrough, AP reported. Blame was being cast on all sides on the first day of the shutdown.

The White House and Congress failed to strike an agreement to keep programs and services open, throwing the country into a new cycle of uncertainty.

At the heart of the issue are tax credits that have made health insurance through the Affordable Care Act more affordable for millions of people since the coronavirus pandemic.

The credits are set to expire at the end of the year if Congress doesn’t extend them, which would more than double what subsidized enrollees currently pay for health insurance premiums, according to analysis.

Meanwhile, as the Trump administration insists it is serious about negotiating an end to the government shutdown, a pair of racist deepfake videos mocking Democratic leaders played on a loop in the White House briefing room for hours on Wednesday.

The videos, posted by Trump on his social media platform on Monday, use fabricated audio to make it seem as if the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, called Democrats “woke pieces of shit”, and showed the House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, with a fake mustache and sombrero.

JD Vance, the US vice-president, made light of the tactic during a rare appearance in the briefing room. “I think it’s funny. The president’s joking and we’re having a good time. You can negotiate in good faith while also making a little bit of fun at some of the absurdities of the Democrats’ positions, and even poking some fun at the absurdity of themselves.

“I’ll tell Hakeem Jeffries right now, I make the solemn promise to you that if you help us reopen the government, the sombrero memes will stop. I’ve talked to the president of the United States about that.”

Jeffries has denounced the memes as racist. Vance retorted: “I honestly don’t even know what that means. Like, is he a Mexican American that is offended by having a sombrero meme?”

Read the full story here:

In other developments:

  • JD Vance, the vice-president, used false claims to blame Democrats for the government shutdown as the White House warned that worker layoffs were imminent.

  • Donald Trump quietly signed an executive order on Monday in which he promised that the United States will defend the nation of Qatar by treating “any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure” of the energy-rich Persian Gulf monarchy “as a threat to the peace and security of the United States”.

  • Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, the top Democrats in the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively, and both New Yorkers, accused the Trump administration of retaliating against their constituents by putting billions of dollars to revamp transportation infrastructure on hold.

  • Oregon’s governor, Tina Kotek, said in a statement on Wednesday that “Donald Trump’s unlawful federalization of members of the Oregon National Guard could cost taxpayers up to $10m”.

  • The Trump administration said that it was putting a hold on roughly $18bn to fund a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey and the city’s expanded Second Avenue subway project – because of the government shutdown.

  • Donald Trump once again shared misinformation about Portland, Oregon, on social media on Wednesday, when he announced that the national guard troops he called up in response to a small protest outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) office in the otherwise tranquil city are “now in place”.

  • Lisa Cook, the US Federal Reserve governor, will keep her job for now, despite Donald Trump’s extraordinary bid to remove her from the central bank’s board with immediate effect.

Trump says he’s open to talks with Kim Jong Un ‘without any preconditions’– www.foxnews.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

President Donald Trump is open to talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “without any preconditions,” a White House official said, as South Korea’s unification minister warned Pyongyang’s missiles could reach the U.S. mainland.

“President Trump in his first term held three historic summits with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un that stabilized the Korean Peninsula. U.S. policy on North Korea has not changed,” a White House official told Fox News Digital. “President Trump remains open to talking with Kim Jong Un, without any preconditions.”

South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young used blunt language in Berlin this week, telling reporters, “North Korea has become one of the three countries capable of attacking the U.S. mainland,” according to the Yonhap News Agency. “What needs to be acknowledged should be acknowledged rationally.”

The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on Chung’s claim.

Situation ‘Critical’ As Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant Runs On Emergency Generators– www.rferl.org
Source Link
Excerpt:

 

Power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant in a Russian-occupied part of Ukraine have been cut off for over a week. That means that the plant, which is not currently generating its own power, is relying on diesel generators to keep its nuclear reactors cool. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that the plant was not designed to operate in emergency mode, while Russian officials say they are doing everything necessary to ensure the plant’s safety.

Gov. Shapiro signs order to protect vaccine access, coverage in Pa. and combat misinformation – PennLive.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday signed an executive order aimed at protecting access to recommended childhood and adult vaccines, maintaining insurance coverage and aligning state health policies with the guidance of respected experts.

“As the federal government continues to create chaos and confusion, my Administration is stepping up to preserve access to vaccines, provide Pennsylvanians with clear, evidence-based guidance, and protect the freedom to make decisions over your own health care,” said Shapiro at a press event at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

3 Antifa terrorists arrested outside Portland ICE facility as federal agents crack down | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Federal law enforcement agents were seen hopping out of a unmarked white van in a surprise tactical operation reminiscent of a “Trojan horse.”

Federal law enforcement agents staged a dramatic show of force outside the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday night, deploying an unmarked van in a surprise tactical operation reminiscent of a “Trojan horse.”

At least three Antifa-affiliated agitators were arrested and taken into custody for a variety of offenses. This comes amid a promised federal crackdown from President Trump targeting the unlawful, ongoing occupation outside the ICE facility as part of the administration’s effort to end ongoing left-wing violence against ICE agents.

Judge Permanently Blocks Biden ATF Rule on Firearms Sales from Being Used Against NRA Members– conservativeroof.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Corey L. Maze “permanently [blocked] federal authorities from enforcing multiple provisions of the ATF’s [‘engaged in the business’ rule],” according to Rocket City Now.

Maze’s ruling applies to two plaintiffs — “Don Butler of Talladega and David Glidewell of Ragland” — and to members of the NRA.

ATF’s engaged in the business rule became final on April 10, 2024. The rule is designed to expand the occurrences of point-of-sale background checks by counting certain private sales as business sales, thereby requiring the transfer to be handled via a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check.

U.S. Military Continues mRNA Vaccine Research after RFK, Jr., Cuts Funding– www.scientificamerican.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

The abrupt termination last month of nearly half a billion dollars in US government contracts for mRNA vaccine research rattled scientists working inside and outside industry. The cuts raised alarm about the country’s commitment to the Nobel-prizewinning technology, which is credited with saving millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic and is regarded as essential for fighting viruses in the future.

Yet not all large-scale research into mRNA vaccines in the United States is being dismantled. Nature has learnt that, even as the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — led by vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr — pulls back, the country’s military continues to bankroll parts of the same research.

World awaits Hamas response as isolated terrorists run out of options– www.washingtonexaminer.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Hamas has a matter of days to decide whether it will agree to President Donald Trump‘s latest effort to end the war in Gaza, a plan that has some support from several Arab nations that want to see the conflict end permanently.

Trump revealed the content of his 20-point peace plan on Monday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Trump said on Wednesday that his administration stands by his demand that Hamas respond to the peace plan in 3-4 days.

The change in circumstances for Hamas has been rapid. Just last month, multiple countries lined up to recognize an independent Palestinian state in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly, and diplomats walked out of Netanyahu’s speech.

Ohio GOP misses deadline for new maps, task now moves to panel– www.washingtonexaminer.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Ohio lawmakers missed their first deadline to redistrict their congressional maps mid-decade.

Ohio lawmakers needed to pass a map with at least 60% support in each chamber and at least 50% support from Democrats by Sept. 30. This deadline was not met, as Democrats who would lose seats have not been on board with the push to give Republicans more seats.

Republicans did not introduce a proposal by this deadline either.

Embattled Fed Governor Lisa Cook faces plagiarism claims, cancel culture ties– www.thecollegefix.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

Controversies from Cook’s past in academia resurface as she battles President Trump to keep her job

As Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook does battle against President Donald Trump to keep her job, controversial experiences from her time as a professor have resurfaced, such as plagiarism claims and her involvement in a high-profile cancel culture incident.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled that Cook — who was fired by Trump in August over allegations of mortgage fraud — can keep her job as her lawsuit challenging the president’s authority winds its way through the courts.

U. Delaware Student-Run TV Network Gives Special Thanks to ‘Charlie Kirk’s Killer’– legalinsurrection.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

The University of Delaware’s student-run television network (STN49), recently ran a credit at the end of a supposed ‘comedy’ show which gave a special thank you to “Charlie Kirk’s Killer.”

Not only is this outrageous, it is coming from the same progressive types of college students who claim that the mere presence of conservatives on a college campus makes them ‘feel unsafe.’

People should be expelled over this. For the simple sake of decency.